Location: Crossroads of Eleftheria and Heroon Avenues. Engomi. Nicosia district

Category: ΕΟΚΑ 1955-59

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

The initiative for the memorial was taken in 1999 by the ad hoc private committee for Stylianos Lenas memorial. It was funded by The Board for the Historical Memory of the EOKA 1955-59 struggle (SIMAE). Although the statue was finished in 2001, the current location was promoted as the most appropriate among others some three years later. Additional time was needed for bureaucratic procedures to clear. The unveiling took place on November 19th 2007.

The initiative for the memorial was taken in 1961 by the Potamitissa Orthodox Institution (ΘΟΙ/ΤΗΟΙ), and the Potamitissa Orthodox Christian Youth Union. Due to erosion over time, in 1998 a new construction, an exact copy of the original, replaced the old. The initiative for this restoration work was taken by the Potamitissa emigrants’ association and the Potamitissa community. The unveiling took place on May 28th 2000.

The memorial replicates all the familiar and symbolic visual patterns of Greek antiquity and 19th century neoclassicism in Greece. The fluted pillars standing on elaborated, tall bases are crowned with capitals decorated with astragals and darts, topped with palmette motifs. The white marble used in all the parts of the memorial accentuates further the links to the Greek architecture tradition. The familiar black and white photographs of the two fighters are framed with laurel wreaths and Greek flags. The two angels or victories above them, each holding a laurel wreath underline their sacrificial death and imply their lofty deeds. Between them, the bas relief with the wailing female figure, mother, wife or motherland, is reminiscent of the pain and the unhealed trauma. At the same time it replicates a familiar pattern used in 19th century Greece to symbolize death and grief. Last but not least, the demarcation of the commemorative place with fencing links it directly to the elaborated and prominent tombs of Athens’ 1st cemetery.